Page 66 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2013

October LRBC women in blues (lt-rt): Deanna Bogart, Samantha
Fish, Samantha Banks, Susan Tedsechi, Ruthie Foster, Sista
Monica, Danielle Schnebelen, Tanya Richardson
and Ana Popovic Photo by Kathy L. Rankin

We Are Family…

Blues Cruisers United

By James “Fuzzhead” Jones & Wendy Schumer Rush BBQ. You can’t beat ribs, beer and James Harman then
he Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise had always been a sharing an ice cream cone with Washboard Jo.
Tbucket-list dream for me. That dream came true in October Enjoy dressing up? Every evening featured a costume parade
2012 when my son joined me for Cruise #19 in the Southeastern with Halloween night being the pinnacle, complete with witty
Caribbean. Nothing beats spending a week with a few thousand commentary by host Big Llou Johnson.
new friends sharing a common interest, enjoying the best of blues The fun really amps up after midnight with the legendary Pro
and roots music. With so many great acts on board, it would be Jam sessions. You’ll never get another opportunity like this to see
impossible to review everyone in this space – suffi ce it to say, all your favorites playing together and having as much fun as you.
were spectacular. Still want more? Mitch Woods has the piano bar rockin’ til dawn.
Particular highlights for me were Taj Mahal, Trampled Under This cruise may be over, but the memories and friendships made
Foot, Shane Dwight with the wonderful Bekka Bramlett and the will last a lifetime.
Tedeschi Trucks Band. Susan Tedeschi’s solo on “Angel From
Montgomery,” was especially moving. But the most impressive James “Fuzzhead” Jones lives the blues. He’s proud of his two sons
to me was the phenomenal Ruthie Foster. I caught all of her and lives in New Jersey with his wife Terri. An aspiring harp player
performances and still get chills thinking about them. For a change and photographer, you can find him on Facebook @ Fuzzhead Jones.
of pace, we attended Joe Plummer’s play, “Nothing But The
Blues,” the inimitable Joseph A. Rosen’s Photography Workshop
and Art Tipaldi and Mark Wenner’s Sonny Boy Williamson II
discussion, a particular treat for this amateur harpist.
Our favorite on-shore activity was the Barbados Beach Party;
just imagine swimming in the crystal clear Caribbean while being
serenaded by Lil’ Ed and special guests.
LRBC Rule #8 states “Sleep When You Get Home.” This could
also apply to dieting. Good eats are always available. While
my son Jim preferred the sumptuous offerings of the ship’s dining
room, I gravitated to the Samantha Fish Shrimp Boil and Bobby Beach party on Barbados with Lil’ Ed (rt) and guest Big Llou Johnson
Photo by Kathy L. Rankin

64 Blues Festival Guide 2013